Some people have controlling personalities. People like me. I’m not embracing this aspect of myself as I don’t think it’s necessarily the healthiest way to live my life. But considering my usual levels of anxiety, I was surprised at how calm I was the entire week leading up to and including the day of our backyard concert with Photoside Cafe. There were several facets of this event over which I could obsess: Will the cops come this time? Will it rain? Will people flake out on their RSVP’s? Will the band have van troubles?
That morning at church, my friend Karen told me that she had been praying for me all week. Ah, that explains it. I’m not usually this calm. Even my chipped-mug friend, Sherri (who has seen me host many events), noticed my unusual peace. I kept reassuring myself that God was in control and that everything would be fine.
Adele, not Scott, but ADELE came over to prepare an early dinner for the band. This was ironic considering the significance of Scott getting me to surrender the meal to him in the first place (see story here). Come to find out, he was able to participate in a scuba certification class and passed the torch to Adele.
The night before, Adele asked, “Is that okay? Do you mind if I cook dinner?”
Me, “I don’t care WHO cooks dinner. As long as somebody does, cause I’m not prepared!”
Everyone kept commenting on what a beautiful day for a concert this was. Earlier in the week it had downpoured for FOUR days. Our backyard had been soaked. Brian went so far as to set fans up out there! We had one and a half days of sunshine to try to dry it out again. Wouldn’t you know that about five minutes before the band rolled in, the sky grew dark. And as they pulled up, the skies opened. And when I say opened, I mean that it looked like we were going to have to build an ark. Merciless rain beat down on our almost dry backyard. But I was convinced – convinced! – that even though the show was to begin 1hr. 45min. later, there was NO way the rain would last that long.
So as a barrage of texts and phone calls began (“Is the show still on for 5:00?”), I looked out my window at the downpour and said, “Yes. The show is still on at five.”
It rained for AN HOUR. This left 45 minutes to dry the deck, set up equipment, sound check, get everyone welcomed and seated, etc. (It was kinda important to start on time as 1) we had a lot of friends bringing their kids and parents seem to always run on a schedule and 2) I sort of threatened everyone in my evite about being late.)
Virginia wedding photographer, Ian Ivey (good friend!), set up his equipment as well and took some excellent shots of the night. (There’s an album of this evening on his site that’s available to check out here.) We had around 130 guests in our backyard (in spite of the rain!). See?
So before I continue and explain the concert part of this whole evening, I need to stop and thank a few certain people (without whom this night would have merely been so-so).
BRIAN SPEARS – My dear hubby did all the back and forth communicating with the band to ensure that this concert would be possible. He ran around and secured sound equipment, had a deck/stage built, had a gate put into the fence that separates our yard from the neighbors’ yard, he called the cleaning ladies to make our house pretty, he showed me how to use power tools to make our guest bedrooms lovely and he – all in all – kept me sane.
GUILFORD BAPTIST CHURCH – for letting us borrow their sound equipment and keeping our evening in your prayers.
OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, MIKE AND KAREN – for letting us have easy access to your child-friendly backyard so all the kiddos weren’t distracting once they got bored.
JOHN VINCI – for running sound. You made this night sound perfect.
LOUDOUN COUNTY AUTHORITIES – for not showing up with blue and red lights flashing.
ADELE – for making Mexican food because 1) I never do and 2) I was hungry and 3) it tasted GREAT.
IAN IVEY – for beautifully capturing a night that was so sweet to my soul.
ANYONE WHO PRAYED OVER THIS EVENING – I, for one, really needed it.
ERIKA – for walking my dogs back with my mother-in-law as I abandoned you to run and go meet my guests (the dogs were just going too slowly).
To be continued…
It really was a great time. I’m am glad that it all worked out even though the rain caused concern. Adele’s food was super tasty! I really enjoyed it. Went back for seconds actually. Photoside cafe really does have a great sound. I enjoy their music and their entertainment. I think my favorite thing was that a couple of them were in their bare feet. And of course I think that the violinist is hot.
Could almost word for word say what Manny said, except the last comment. LOL
I thought the concert was great and I thought the band did a really great job with the music. Although, it would have been a little better if the ground wasn’t so soggy. However I’m glad that it stopped raining. :^)
I had a great time. I’m glad my friend, Allison, could come. The violinist did a very good job!! I thought the food was great!
A ha ha ha!